Back from the dead 83 Malibu wagon!

[sbc383rulz]

tried to respond to my old build thread but it's apparently been locked?
Anyways I picked up an 83 Malibu wagon in 2014 with an anemic 305 and a slipping th350c, pulled the engine and trans and started working on a 350 but divorce and a motorcycle wreck that almost killed me got in the way of finishing that.

Fast forward to today! I've got a vortec 350 out of a 99 suburban I did a cheap re-ring on and bought an air gap intake and headers for, transmission is a 89 c2500 700r4 with low miles on a rebuild. Pulled off the itty bitty tires from the back (205/70r15s on 8" rally wheels) and put some 275/60r15s on the back!
The goal is a mild hot rod that I can daily drive once I get the kinks worked out, I've got a bunch of pictures and progress to get caught up on posting! I'll be getting the updates on here as I can.

 

[sbc383rulz]

Painting the water pump and motor mounts

Comparing the 205s to the 275s

Pulled the engine back out to finish everything up

Pulled it out of the garage with my current daily driver.

 

[sbc383rulz]

Latest two pictures, bottom end it together! Have to throw the timing set on and replace the valve seals and I'll be ready to throw the engine together the rest of the way and into the car!

Tbi 350 and 700r4 from the 89 Chevy I'm parting out. Using the transmission for the wagon and the 350 may end up in a s10 I have.

 

[sbc383rulz]

The drivetrain should work nicely with the torquey vortec with the 700r4 and 3.42 gears, I'm not looking for anything too terribly fast for now. The last time I drove it I had the 305/th350c in it, I doubt I'll be disappointed with the new drivetrain!

 

[Longroof79]

Good to see you back at it again after life's adversities.

 

[Texas82GP]

Cool project! I think old threads automatically lock after a year of no activity. One of the moderators could unlock it for you and move these posts there if you wanted.

 

[liquidh8]

Nice to see a dead project back to life. I would see if the moderators can unlock your old thread and continue from there.

 

[sbc383rulz]

Did some sanding on the valve covers today. I primed them, painted orange then black, sanded through the black to give it a bit of a weathered look. Hoping it looks better on the engine, I'm not terribly happy with how they turned out but not upset enough to strip and paint again lol.

 

[Injectedcutty]

I personally kinda like the touch you put on the valve covers. If it fits the overall theme of the car, I'd say spray some high heat clear on em and let em go!

 

[zeth hale]

Life gets in the way sometimes but the things we want most will always happen if you try hard enough. I know how you feel I just bought a house and it seems 3/4 of my hotrod budget is now gone lol